Message of 11-9-07
Published: Tue, 10/30/07
"God hugs you.
You are encircled in the arms
of the mystery of God."
- Hildegarde of Bingen -
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Ez 47:1-2, 8-9, 12; Ps 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9; 1 Cor 3:9c-11, 16-17;
Lk 16: 1-8
R. (5) The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy
dwelling of the Most High!
God is our refuge and our strength,
an ever-present help in distress.
Therefore, we fear not, though the earth be shaken
and mountains plunge into the depths of the sea.
There is a stream whose runlets gladden the city of God,
the holy dwelling of the Most High.
God is in its midst; it shall not be disturbed;
God will help it at the break of dawn.
The LORD of hosts is with us;
our stronghold is the God of Jacob.
Come! behold the deeds of the LORD,
the astounding things he has wrought on earth.
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Praying the Daily Gospels
- by Philip St. Romain:
- http://www.liguori.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=6614
- Luke 16: 1-8 (The clever manager)
At first glance, this appears to be a parable of forgiveness, but
it is much more. When Jesus commends the manager for his cleverness
in assuring his future, he also chides his followers for their lack
of initiative in the things of God. What if we were to give as much
time and effort to building the kingdom of God as we do to securing
a living and advancing ourselves professionally? What would the
world be like?
- Divide a sheet of paper into three columns. In the first
column, list activities in which you are regularly engaged
(employment, sleep, recreation, for example). In the second column,
write the amount of time you spend each week on each activity. In
the third column, list the reasons why you engage in each activity.
Study this list awhile, praying for wisdom to help you reorganize
your life, if necessary.
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ABANDONMENT TO DIVINE PROVIDENCE
- by Jean Pierre de Caussade, S.J.
Whether it be meditation, contemplation, vocal prayer, interior
silence, or
the active use of any of the faculties, either sensible and
distinct, or
almost imperceptible; quiet retreat, or active employment,
whatever it may
be in itself, even if very desirable, that which God wills for
the present
moment is best and all else must be regarded by the soul as
being nothing at
all. Thus, beholding God in all things it must take or leave
them all as He
pleases, and neither desire to live, nor to improve, nor to
hope, except as
He ordains, and never by the help of things which have neither
power nor
virtue except from Him. It ought, at every moment and on all
occasions, to
say with St. Paul, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?'" (Acts
ix, 6)
without choosing this thing or that, but "whatsoever You will.
-- Book 1, Chapter 1, Section 6
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PRAYING WITH SCRIPTURE (Contemplative Method)
- adapted by Philip St. Romain from a variety of sources -
A. Select a short passage that you will use for prayer.
B. Settle in by sitting straight (on tailbone, spine erect).
Notice sensations in your body, sounds around you, the manner of
your breathing. Call to mind that God is present in and amidst all
of this.
C. Read the passage aloud slowly, prayerfully. Let the words make
their own impact, and voice whatever they awaken in your mind and
heart to God.
- proceed to Step E if you already feel yourself coming to
contemplative silence -
D. Read the passage a second time silently. Again, voice whatever
is awakened to God, or acknowledge before God in your heart. Let
this be a spontaneous conversation which includes your questions,
intellectual reflections, petitions, resolutions, and so forth.
E. Read the passage a third time. If there is a word or phrase
that sums up this passage, or that speaks to you in a special way,
repeat it in your mind prayerfully. Let it express your
willingness to allow God to be God in your life.
F. Allow yourself to simply be present to God in loving silence,
aware of God's unfailing Presence to you in love. When
distractions come which capture your attention, re-introduce the
sacred word from Step E. Continue with this resting until your
prayer time is over.
G. Close your prayer time with a sincere vocal recitation of the
Lord's prayer, putting your whole being into the words.
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